Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO) in Florida is among the high transit hubs for leisure vacationers within the U.S.

Should you’re heading to Walt Disney World, Common Orlando and different Orlando sights, or cruising from Port Canaveral, you may most probably fly into MCO.

As a proud Disney grownup (and up to date Common Orlando and cruise convert), I’ve flown into MCO dozens of instances. I’ve additionally seen MCO endure main adjustments in recent times.

In 2022, the airport unveiled Terminal C, which feels virtually like a completely completely different airport (each by way of its spectacular structure and likewise distance from the primary terminal). In 2023, the airport bought its personal Brightline station, connecting it by rail to Miami and different Florida locations.

This airport is big — and may typically really feel extra crowded and chaotic than even Orlando’s busiest theme park. Right here’s what you must know in regards to the airport.

Orlando Worldwide Airport fast info

• Location: 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827 (Terminals A and B) and 10200 Jeff Fuqua Blvd South (Terminal C).

• Annual passengers: About 57 million.

• Passenger airways: The airport serves 38 passenger airways. The biggest are Southwest Airways, Delta Air Strains, Spirit Airways, Frontier Airways and American Airways.

• Airport code: MCO (a holdover from its days as McCoy Air Pressure Base).

Here’s a collection of maps of MCO.

Terminals A and B are the older of the three MCO terminals. They sit on reverse sides of the identical constructing.

It’s a really brief stroll by an atrium on Degree 3 between the 2 terminals. Terminals A and B are additionally linked post-security, so that you don’t essentially must clear the safety line once more to get from one to the opposite.

So far as attending to Terminal C from the A and B terminals, it’s a small journey. You can not stroll between the 2 and also you’ll additionally must clear safety once more to go from one to the opposite.

You’ll be able to both take the Terminal Hyperlink, which is an automatic individuals mover that takes you to Terminal C’s practice station.

From there, you’ll stroll about 0.2 miles by a parking storage to Terminal C.

Should you’d somewhat not stroll by the storage, you may as well take a shuttle bus that can get you nearer. Each function 24 hours a day.

Airways that use Terminal A embody:

Terminals A and B are largely comparable in fashion. Each can really feel darkish and claustrophobic at instances, and each lack energy shops and cozy seating. Think about it preparation for what’s to return at an Orlando theme park you might be visiting.

All of the terminals are massive, and separate shuttles post-security take you to your gate.

Airways that use Terminal B embody:

Terminal C, which opened extra just lately, is a game-changer. It’s bought sunlit structure and spacious seating. Procuring right here seems like an expertise, and its public artwork is extra spectacular than what you’ll discover in lots of museums.

One of many highlights is the Second Vault, a 360-degree immersive artwork set up that makes use of motion-tracking software program to create an interactive expertise the place you may swim with underwater manatees or watch the dawn over the Orlando skyline.

Even the flooring are artwork, with mosaics that evoke Florida’s panorama.

Airways that use Terminal C embody:

To eat, it’s bought a few of my favourite nationwide chains together with Shake Shack and Chick-fil-A. Higher but, it’s bought wonderful eats from native cooks.

I like to recommend Sunshine Diner by Chef Artwork Smith. Should you simply need drinks, go to Wine Bar George, named for Grasp Sommelier George Miliotes. Each Smith and Miliotes function eateries in Disney Springs.

With choices like these, you could be tempted to skip your in-flight meal, even for those who’re flying top quality.

Transportation to and from MCO

Drivers can park onsite or lower your expenses by parking in an offsite lot. Some tons provide EV charging and valet. MCO’s web site repeatedly updates to indicate if tons are full, and it additionally exhibits the newest parking charges.

Rideshare firms similar to Uber, Lyft, Wingz and KreweCar function at MCO and provide pickups and drop-offs proper exterior the terminal.

Some airport motels provide complimentary shuttles.

For rides to Disney, Mears Join is among the hottest shuttle providers. With Mears, you board a shared car (sometimes a constitution bus), which then takes you to any of the Disney-owned motels, in addition to many different Disney space motels (although you’ll doubtless make a couple of stops for all the opposite riders).

Mears tickets value lower than $20 per individual, which might be cheaper than a rideshare service when touring solo or as a pair. Nonetheless, because it costs per individual, it may not be as economical for households as merely reserving an Uber or Lyft (significantly if there’s no surge pricing kicking in).

Terminal C is instantly linked to the Brightline high-speed rail station. With Brightline, vacationers can hop to West Palm Seaside, Fort Lauderdale and even Miami instantly from the terminal — a first-of-its-kind comfort within the U.S.

Actually, Brightline is the one high-speed intercity rail service to function from an airport within the U.S.

Navigating safety at MCO

Safety traces at MCO can get lengthy. I’ve seen wait instances high half-hour. MCO maintains a web site that exhibits present wait instances.

Then there’s a fee-free possibility referred to as MCO Reserve. Launched in 2022, this lets any traveler e-book a safety time slot — no membership required. Upon arriving on the devoted MCO Reserve lane, vacationers scan a QR code which permits them entry to an expedited lane the place they’ll then present their boarding cross and ID — after which proceed by the usual TSA safety screening, as common.

Location: Terminal A (close to Gates 1-29) and Terminal B (close to Gates 70-99)

There are two outposts of The Membership MCO (one every in Terminals A and B), that are accessible both by buying a day cross (about $55) or by different lounge membership applications similar to Precedence Go.

These lounges are solidly meh. They provide some sandwiches and pasta that rival what your school cafeteria served, however that’s about it. Nonetheless, there’s free Wi-Fi, plentiful shops, some plush seating and an open bar.

Should you’re a frugal traveler and have complimentary entry anyway by one thing like Precedence Go, you may as properly pop in for a small snack and drink. However mood your expectations in case your excellent meal is one thing greater than a bland turkey sandwich with a aspect of pretzels and animal cookies.

And on many visits, there’s been a waitlist simply to get in. Should you’re contemplating coming into by way of a day cross, you must in all probability simply skip it and save your cash for a nicer restaurant meal within the airport.

Location: Terminal C on Degree 2, subsequent to Gate 241.

Plaza Premium is a world community of lounges principally in Asia, however with areas in Europe and one in Dallas, too. The Orlando Plaza Premium Lounge opened in 2023 as a flagship lounge for the corporate, spanning 10,000 sq. ft with floor-to-ceiling glass home windows that overlook Terminal C on one aspect and the runways on one other.

In some ways, the lounge is sort of fancy. I’ve had distinctive and flavorful dishes together with Cuban fashion floor beef, stir fry veggies and rooster, thyme sage rolls and various pastas.

However oftentimes, it’s been so packed that it’s almost unimaginable to even discover a seat. Should you’re in Terminal C and have Precedence Go, pop by and scope out the crowds. If it’s packed, you will get loads of wonderful meals elsewhere in Terminal C.

Procuring in any MCO terminal is especially enjoyable, with a number of shops tied to theme parks together with Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando and Common Orlando. There’s even a retailer devoted to Epic Universe.

The Common Orlando retailer in Terminal C is among the greatest for all of the memorabilia packed inside, together with a reproduction of Hagrid’s bike.

All of those shops promote merchandise that’s additionally offered within the parks, which might make ready for a flight really feel like an extension of your theme park trip. I’ve undoubtedly purchased a cuddle-sized Mickey plush on the Disney World retailer to operate as a airplane pillow (which beats shopping for one within the Magic Kingdom and carrying it round a theme park all day).

So far as eateries, there are such a lot of that it’s tough to consider a serious quick meals chain that isn’t represented in both terminal.

Hyatt Regency Orlando Worldwide Airport

There are various airport motels inside a brief drive or shuttle trip from the airport, however the Hyatt Regency Orlando Worldwide Airport is the one one truly situated throughout the airport. It straddles Terminals A and B, simply steps away from safety.

Opened in 1992, it stays one of many few full-service airport motels within the nation situated contained in the terminal itself. That makes it straightforward to roll off the bed and into safety for an early flight.

Rooms overlook both the inside atrium or the runway, and soundproofing ensures a surprisingly restful sleep. The rooftop pool even has tarmac views.